The importance of frequency–place mismatch in the quality of sound perceived in single-sided deafness among cochlear implant recipients
IntroductionSingle-sided deafness (SSD) affects the ability to localize sounds and understand speech in noisy environments, significantly impacting the quality of life. Cochlear implants (CIs) have been explored as a solution for SSD, with varying success attributed to different factors, such as ons...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Audiology and Otology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fauot.2025.1648716/full |
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| author | Guillaume Gersdorff Nicola Ivanovic Masoud Zoka Assadi Peter Nopp Séverine Camby Philippe Lefèbvre |
| author_facet | Guillaume Gersdorff Nicola Ivanovic Masoud Zoka Assadi Peter Nopp Séverine Camby Philippe Lefèbvre |
| author_sort | Guillaume Gersdorff |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionSingle-sided deafness (SSD) affects the ability to localize sounds and understand speech in noisy environments, significantly impacting the quality of life. Cochlear implants (CIs) have been explored as a solution for SSD, with varying success attributed to different factors, such as onset of deafness (pre- vs. post-lingual), duration of especially pre-lingual deafness, and compliance to rehab protocols, as well as the frequency-to-place mismatch, where the frequency assigned to CI electrodes does not align with the cochlea's natural tonotopy. The objective is to investigate the influence of frequency-to-place mismatch on hearing performance, sound quality, and patient satisfaction in SSD CI recipients by comparing default and anatomical frequency mapping.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 19 SSD patients implanted with MEDEL CIs between 2014 and 2023. Post-activation, high-resolution cone beam computed tomography scans were analyzed using OTOPLAN® (Version V4) to define anatomical frequency mapping. The average frequency mismatch (AFM) between default and anatomical mapping was calculated. Speech intelligibility was assessed using articulation function (AF) scores, and sound quality was evaluated through patient questionnaires.ResultsA significant negative correlation between AFM and AF (R = −0.47, p = 0.042) was observed. Sound quality aspects, including natural sound perception and similarity to the normal ear, inversely correlated with AFM (R2 = 0.281, p = 0.05, and R2 = 0.301, p = 0.043, respectively). Global satisfaction scores were high (3.58 ± 0.77), unaffected by AFM.ConclusionFrequency-to-place mismatch impacts speech intelligibility and sound quality in SSD CI patients. Anatomical frequency mapping using tools like OTOPLAN can enhance CI outcomes, highlighting the need for individualized cochlear measurements and electrode assignment. |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2813-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Audiology and Otology |
| spelling | doaj-art-4ebd2e4800734145bd4b6b6ac45fe7c42025-08-20T03:07:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Audiology and Otology2813-60552025-08-01310.3389/fauot.2025.16487161648716The importance of frequency–place mismatch in the quality of sound perceived in single-sided deafness among cochlear implant recipientsGuillaume Gersdorff0Nicola Ivanovic1Masoud Zoka Assadi2Peter Nopp3Séverine Camby4Philippe Lefèbvre5Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Liège, BelgiumMedel, Innsbruck, AustriaMedel, Innsbruck, AustriaMedel, Innsbruck, AustriaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Liège, BelgiumDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Liège, BelgiumIntroductionSingle-sided deafness (SSD) affects the ability to localize sounds and understand speech in noisy environments, significantly impacting the quality of life. Cochlear implants (CIs) have been explored as a solution for SSD, with varying success attributed to different factors, such as onset of deafness (pre- vs. post-lingual), duration of especially pre-lingual deafness, and compliance to rehab protocols, as well as the frequency-to-place mismatch, where the frequency assigned to CI electrodes does not align with the cochlea's natural tonotopy. The objective is to investigate the influence of frequency-to-place mismatch on hearing performance, sound quality, and patient satisfaction in SSD CI recipients by comparing default and anatomical frequency mapping.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 19 SSD patients implanted with MEDEL CIs between 2014 and 2023. Post-activation, high-resolution cone beam computed tomography scans were analyzed using OTOPLAN® (Version V4) to define anatomical frequency mapping. The average frequency mismatch (AFM) between default and anatomical mapping was calculated. Speech intelligibility was assessed using articulation function (AF) scores, and sound quality was evaluated through patient questionnaires.ResultsA significant negative correlation between AFM and AF (R = −0.47, p = 0.042) was observed. Sound quality aspects, including natural sound perception and similarity to the normal ear, inversely correlated with AFM (R2 = 0.281, p = 0.05, and R2 = 0.301, p = 0.043, respectively). Global satisfaction scores were high (3.58 ± 0.77), unaffected by AFM.ConclusionFrequency-to-place mismatch impacts speech intelligibility and sound quality in SSD CI patients. Anatomical frequency mapping using tools like OTOPLAN can enhance CI outcomes, highlighting the need for individualized cochlear measurements and electrode assignment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fauot.2025.1648716/fullcochlear implanthearing qualityfrequency allocationcochlear lengthOTOPLAN® |
| spellingShingle | Guillaume Gersdorff Nicola Ivanovic Masoud Zoka Assadi Peter Nopp Séverine Camby Philippe Lefèbvre The importance of frequency–place mismatch in the quality of sound perceived in single-sided deafness among cochlear implant recipients Frontiers in Audiology and Otology cochlear implant hearing quality frequency allocation cochlear length OTOPLAN® |
| title | The importance of frequency–place mismatch in the quality of sound perceived in single-sided deafness among cochlear implant recipients |
| title_full | The importance of frequency–place mismatch in the quality of sound perceived in single-sided deafness among cochlear implant recipients |
| title_fullStr | The importance of frequency–place mismatch in the quality of sound perceived in single-sided deafness among cochlear implant recipients |
| title_full_unstemmed | The importance of frequency–place mismatch in the quality of sound perceived in single-sided deafness among cochlear implant recipients |
| title_short | The importance of frequency–place mismatch in the quality of sound perceived in single-sided deafness among cochlear implant recipients |
| title_sort | importance of frequency place mismatch in the quality of sound perceived in single sided deafness among cochlear implant recipients |
| topic | cochlear implant hearing quality frequency allocation cochlear length OTOPLAN® |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fauot.2025.1648716/full |
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